Mini Cherry Clafoutis

I’ve made flognarde (twoversions) but never clafouti, until now. Clafouti is one of those intriguing French desserts in that it defies categorization – is it pudding, is it cake? Is it for breakfast or dessert? (You can have both, in my opinion.) My favourite definition of clafoutis comes from The Patisseries of Paris by Jamie Cahill and Alison Harris, “a cross between a pudding and a cake”.

One thing that never fails, though, is the star of the show: cherries. Classic, traditional clafoutis always have cherries – when other fruit is used it becomes flognarde (flow-nyard) but that distinction seems to be often ignored these days.

When I first read Iris’ Gluten-Free Birthday Cake Challenge, I imagined something simple yet elegant, yet fancy – something that would only be reserved for special occasions, only the best, but as it is life happens. This month has been one hectic one, and it’s about to get even busier (and fun!) leading into this weekend and the following week. Subsequently, a lot of my blogging plans have flown out the window or at least have been postponed until a better date. However, I didn’t let the idea out of my mind – I couldn’t – and, at last, I’ve come up with clafoutis, mini-sized.

They’re not what I suppose would be the first thing to come to mind for a birthday cake but they’re small and can thus be enjoyed in smaller portions than cake would be usually served. Not to mention that there’s no frosting for these beauties. The cherries take care of most of the sweetening in the clafoutis, so it’s low in sugar (of any form, not just refined sugar) and also made with almond flour – so go ahead and spoil yourself!

*I’ve seen at some of my local stores, including Whole Foods, that pre-cut parchment paper including cup liners are being sold. If you use parchment paper cup liners, after the cupcakes have baked and cooled the whole cupcake will come away from the paper when you peel it off; there won’t be any crumbs left as is common with standard muffin or cupcake liners.

Honey, these tasted absolutely lovely at your brother’s party and they are a nice change being so light and the sweetness is perfect with the cherries. I may have to twist your arm to make these again for your ol’ Grandma 😉 Love you lots, xo Grandma

Hi Grandma, so pleased that you liked them! Maybe the next batch will have chocolate – what I wanted to do originally but I’m sure that a drizzle of chocolate or even some shaved chocolate would satisfy. 🙂

Zoe, these are absolutely gorgeous looking! Your photos are beautiful. I really love clafoutis, but do not make them very often. This recipe looks so simple! I think I will totally give it a go this week!! 😉